Audi VDO gauges

[capri_rob]

Have had these set up in my car for a good while now and always had an issue with the oil temp gauge which under- reads massively. Even after a very long run the needle is only just off the bottom line so I know the gauge works it just doesn't move very far.

I bought them as a set including the senders and T piece, the oil temp sender was new but I'm guessing it's just the wrong one - has anyone else had this ?
Most of the other searches I've done seem to point to the gauge over reading but mines the opposite.

It's the 170 degree gauge. The wiki on this is very good - just wondering if anyone has any hints before I buy another sender based on the part number on the wiki ?

Does the gauge not moving far suggest that the resistance in the sender is too high meaning as all the gauges have the same sweep it's for a 120 or 150 degree gauge as they would require a higher resistance to stop the needle going too high on the sweep ?

[appletree]

Sounds like you have got it sorted in your head, I had the gauge over reading with the wrong sender the sender is an odd ball one sure I struggled to find the correct one.

[Jona1971]

My audi VDO guages also go upto 170 degrees C and I bought the Temp sender Febi 33825. (see www.febilive.com) However, I've not fitted it yet...

Also, the retailers of the T-piece, Demon Tweeks, say not to fit the temp sender there as an "inaccurate reading may occur".

I'll be intereseted to know how you get on as I'm about to fit mine. Good luck.

[Jona1971]

Hi Capri_rob,

did you get this sorted?

I've now installed the same gauges as you and my Oil Temp Gauge is reading the same as yours. It moves off the stop but is still at the lowest end - about 60 degrees - when the engine is up the temperature.

I used the part number suggested in the Wiki (2 now as I wasn't sure of the first one) with the same result.

[KW355]

I have just fitted the Audi gauges in my car, I posted part numbers etc in the members section;

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 8&start=50

Firstly I would check your sensor, remove it and connect the gauge wire up and connect a temporary earth wire to the body of the sensor.

Boil a kettle and carefully lower the sensor end in to the water, if the gauge reads 100 degrees c then your gauge/ sensor combination is correct.

If it reads wrong try buying the sensor I got, it was only £6 off ebay and reads correct with my gauge.

If the above tests out o.k. I believe the false reading is due to the sensor not being directly in contact with the hot oil because of the tee piece, I suggest that you need to buy a filter sandwich plate or similar.

Both my v10 and v8 m3's oil temperature runs at about 100 degrees c

[Jona1971]

Thanks KW355,

I tested the sensor in the boiling water as you suggested, still 60 degrees.

My sensor is part number 049919563A, so i've now ordered sensor 049919563B as per your article, £6.06 delivered - bargain.

Thanks for that, i'll test it when it arrives...

[capri_rob]

I swapped senders last year and it made no difference but i havent tried the boiling water test yet

[DanThe]

I think the sender I'm using is from an E46, second hand/from a breaker of course I did the hot water test and it seems to be accurate